“From the Archives” appears in every issue of The Blue and Grey. On the top is an article from the back issues of The Blue and Grey, and on the bottom is a present day analysis from one of our staff reporters. This column highlights the historical value of our publication and links the past to the present.
Original Christmas Decorations Enhance Spirit of Holidays
By Suzanne Crothers ’57
Dec. 10, 1954
This Christmas calls for a lot of thought and imagination. Yes, the Christmas and New Year’s spirit has been roaming about in places like theMuseumofModern ArtinNew York City, Alexander Calder’s studio (you know, the man who designs those crazy mixed-up mobiles) as well as in the European traditions of the past. I hope that all the “Hoodites” are busy letting their imaginations and hands design the cleverest door decorations for their dorm rooms, the prettiest center peices for their table at Christmas dinner and very original wrappings for their roommate’s Christmas gift! It’s a wonderful feeling to have a compliment from you instead of some machine. And don’t say you can’t do it!
This year, the whole family will be assembled in the den or recreation room with construction and tinsel, glue, and scissors trying to regain the Christmas spirit that used to live so abundantly in the hearts of American people in past generations. The old tradition of having each member of the family contribute his share to making it a cheery good time for all will be created again. And maybe while the children gather around stringing popcorn or making paper chains, their parents will find time to tell the stories of their childhood about the original meaning of Christmas.
True, this Christmas will exhibit many of the trends of modern design. Maybe your best friend or even you will point out that mobiles and other abstract-looking dingle-dangles are not in the least, a display of the tradition of the season. Well, neither are the colors red and green, and the Christmas tree wasn’t used until the early sixteenth century inGermany. The concepts about what symbolizes Christmas on the exterior are subject to constant change, perhaps as a means to preserve the internal everlasting spirit of the celebration. A Christmas mobile can really show off those glittering Christmas tree balls and clever paper cutouts by catching the eye of everyone entering the room.
Also—Christmas is no longer a red and green affair, but a multicolored festivity of brightness. If you want to make pink reindeer with red trim, or a red, yellow and blue star, don’t be timid. Use your poster paints to decorate your windows if you’re handy with a paint brush. Just for a suggestion—use brilliant colored abstract shapes to form a design which gives the impression of a stained glass window.
Please don’t limit yourself in your use of materials. Wire, sequins, soda pop straws, and baking tinfoil are just a few of the many things you might use. Evergreen and holly can be displayed in many different ways. A big bouquet that is well arranged can look very impressive. If you want to, bring the outside winter wonderland inside: collect dried branches and paint them white. One of the big branches could be attached to the wall as a clothes line for your Christmas cards.
The mention of Christmas cards gives me a thought. If you have time, why don’t you make your own? A really simple design might be a green felt triangle (a Christmas tree!) with a base of glitter dust glued on a folded piece of construction paper. And don’t forget—a personal message from you in India ink will be warmly received.
This is true in the art of Christmas wrapping, too. Here again, your cheerful thought and gay spirit can be expressed in the package itself. A quick peek in some of the December issues of the popular home declaring magazines is bound to set your imagination to work on how you too can make Christmas decorating day inexpensive, and fun for all.
From The Present
Happy December, everyone! While this article from the archives is Christmas-centric, it still has several very good ideas for celebrating any special occasion. It’s the thought that counts, right?
Resident students know that there is the annual dorm decorating contest for both Halloween and the winter holidays, so that’s one way to show off your holiday spirit. Hopefully Shriner’s reindeer will not be the victims of windstorms like they were last year and will manage to stay out of the bushes. Some of us will buy wrapping paper and wrap our doors up like a gift. Maybe you or your roommate will sing carols from your window at passerbys.
I don’t recommend painting your windows, though, as you probably don’t want to be charged for getting the paint removed. There are craft kits available that simulate stained glass, though, and are easy to get off of windows. I’m no Martha Stewart, but I know Post-It notes work well, too. My friends will recall the multiple pranks I’ve played with those. The best part is that they’re paper, so you can write on them, or have friends write on them.
As a kid, I used to make all of my cards. Every holiday or birthday, friends and family members could expect a ridiculously bright card from me and a joke. I had no money to spend on those fancy Hallmark cards, so mine had to be extra special. I drew every detail on the cards, and would take home leftover art supplies from school instead of throwing them out. As a result, my house is filled with construction paper, glue, glitter, markers, and those weird little shiny metallic colored pieces you can glue to things. I don’t know what they’re called, but they’re cool. I still love Christmas as though Santa Claus is real, and I know I’m not the only one.
As for gift-giving, that’s up to you! Secret Santas are always fun, but it can be difficult to guess what someone would want on your limited budget. Setting spending limits is a good way to deal with this. This is another situation where making an item could be fun. Bake your friend his or her favorite cookie, or have a Bobby Flay-style holiday throwdown with your cooking rival. Leftover snacks from parties make great gifts for the people in your dorm, because as we all know, sharing is caring. I don’t live in a dorm anymore, but whenever someone came knocking with cookies I always appreciated it.
Good luck on finals, and have a safe winter break.
Vesper Arnett
Lifestyle Editor
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